USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Littlestown > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 12
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Gettysburg > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 12
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > East Berlin > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 12
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Oxford in Adams County > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 12
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > York Springs > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 12
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Berwick in Adams County > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 12
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The Presbyterian (now Reformed Church) was organized about the year 1800. Between this period and 1810, Rev. John Ernst preached in a school house standing near the present church. The present Union Lu- theran and Reformed church was erected in 1811, though not entirely completed until 1822. The Lutheran Trustee was Philip Jacob Bohn, and Frederick Asper the Reformed. The new building was put under roof in 18II, when for some reason it was left in its unfinished condition for II years. The most plausible reason for the suspension of operations was undoubtedly the war of 1812-14, which affected their financial affairs to such an extent that they were compelled to discontinue for a time their noble enterprise. During this period the church had become a regular rendezvous for the sheep and cattle of the neighborhood. Considerable time elapsed before these people were again prepared to resume the work . of finishing the church edifice. Eventually, Rev. Carl Helfenstine (Re- formed) and Rev. Speck (Lutheran) succeeded in inspiring them with new zeal and energy, and the work was again resumed. The building was completed with considerable difficulty and self-denial, and solemnly set apart for Divine worship in 1822. The following are the ministers who served the Reformed church : John Ernst, 1800-1812 or '14; Carl Hel- fenstine, 1814-26; Wm. F. Vandersloot, 1826-31 ; W. C. Bennet 1832-34 ;
III
EAST BERLIN.
Dr. D. Ziegler, 1834-35; Samuel Gutelius, 1835-40; E. H. Hoffheins, 1853-63 ; W. F. P. Davis, 1863-72; W. F. Colliflower, 1872-79. The congregation at present numbers 140 members, and is without a pastor.
The Lutheran church at present numbers about 125 members, under Rev. S. P. Orwig as pastor. Among its earlier ministers were, Revs. Ray- mond, Speck, Albert, and A. G. Deininger, who preached the Gospel for over 52 years, and is living at present in our borough at the advanced age of 85 years .*
The Evangelical congregation, with Rev. G. H. Schleh as pastor, erected Trinity Evangelical church, on Locust St., in 1879. This is a very neat and handsome edifice. The present membership is about twenty- five.
About twenty-five years ago, Mr. John Saddler erected a Methodist church in this place, and after being used a number of years, was sold by a special act of the Legislature. The purchaser converted it into a dwel- ling house, at present owned by Mr. Michael McSherry.
A Union Sabbath-school was organized here May 10th, 1840, with about 27 pupils, and the German Reformed about 25 pupils. In 1843, there were 6 male and 8 female teachers, with 60 pupils. The constitution of the Union school was adopted May Ist, 1842 ; the school was reorganized in 1857. Mr. J. B. Baughman, our present S. S. Missionary, took charge of the school in 1858, since which date it is very prosperous. The school now numbers 29 teachers, and 153 scholars. The present officers are, Supt., Elijah Spangler ; Asst. Supt., Michael McSherry ; Sec'y, Michael Heltzel ; Treas., John Eyster.
The Evangelical Sabbath School was organized in the fall of 1879; the number of scholars is about 50, and teachers 12. The officers are, Supt., Rev. J. Ed. Britcher ; Asst. Supt., Dervius Krawl; Sec'y, Jacob M. Stam- bach.
The Catholic population of East Berlin, attend services at the Paradise Catholic church, near Abbottstown.
East Berlin can boast of one of the finest school rooms in Adams county. It is a very handsome two-story brick dwelling, 60 by 31 feet. The land was purchased from Michael McSherry for $285. The Directors who erected the building were, Hon. W. S. Hildebrand, Simon Altland,
[*This venerable minister has gone to his long home since the above was written. He died at his residence in East Berlin, on Wednesday evening, Sept. 30th, 1880. He was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, in 1794. and emigrated to this country in early life, after serving in the army for several years during the Bonaparte wars. He first located in Centre county, Pa., and in 1819 married Susan Phebe Brown, of Aaronsburg. He studied theology at Lancaster, and was licensed to preach in 1828. He soon afterwards accepted a call from the East Berlin charge, where he continued to labor for nearly 52 years, founding new churches, so that five Lutheran ministers now successfully labor in his original charge, while his own immediate congrega- tions, recently surrendered to his successor, number 1400 members .- THE PUB- LISHER.]
II2
EAST BERLIN.
Elijah Spangler, Michael Shaffer, Wesley Heagy, and John Myers. The building was erected in 1878. J. R. Darone was the contractor. The room was first occupied Monday, Oct. 29th, 1878, by the East Berlin High and Primary School, J. Curtis Hildebrand, Principal; Miss Ida M. Hartley, teacher of Primary Department. The total number of scholars present at the time was 122.
[This flourishing select academy-East Berlin Normal School-in charge of Prof. J. C. Hildebrand, a young man of fine literary attainments and very successful in imparting knowledge to others, has gained a wide local reputation for thorough teaching, and merits more than the mere passing notice the modesty of the above writer has constrained to give it. The school was established in 1870, and was at first held in the old public school building. It is crowded to its utmost capacity at every session, by scholars from near and far, and for a number of terms many were sent away from want of accommodations. Many of the pupils are teachers, and others from the ranks of those preparing to teach. J. Curtis Hilde- brand is principal of the Normal Department, with Dr. F. C. Wolf, A. M., professor of Latin, Greek and German ; C. S. Deardorff, professor of Pen- manship and Pen Drawing; Miss Annie E. Storm, teacher of Instrumental Music. Of the Primary Department, J. Curtis Hildebrand is Superintend- ent, and W. J. Metzler, Vice Principal. The trustees are, Rev. A. G. Deininger, John Picking, Jacob Resser, E. Spangler, Hon. W. S. Hilde- brand, Dr. S. Meisenhelder and J. B. Baughman.
The Normal School is composed of A and B Grades, and is designed for teachers, or those preparing to teach. In addition to this, courses of instruction by lectures and otherwise are given from time to time upon the best methods of organizing, teaching and governing schools of every grade, and the members of the Normal have the opportunity of teaching in the Model School and Primary department. The Model School com- prises the C Grade, is under the care of the Principal and Vice Principal, and is designed to obtain a general business education .- THE PUBLISHER.]
Job Work of all descriptions printed neatly and cheaply at the "Hanover Herald" Job office.
113
EAST BERLIN MISC. AND BUS. DIRECTORY.
EAST BERLIN MISCELLANEOUS DIRECTORY.
Borough Officers .- Chief Burgess, George King ; Clerk, J. W. Metzler ; Council, Jacob Resser, George W. Baugher, John Hartley, Michael Rebert, Henry Shaffer, John.Wiest; High Constable, Emanuel Rhinehart.
Churches .- Union Lutheran, Rev. S. P. Orwig ; German Reformed, va- cant; Evangelical, Rev. G. H. Schlech.
Hotels .- Pennsylvania House, Henry Shaffer; Keystone, H. B. Kline ; Hildebrand's, Temperance Hotel, A. S. Hildebrand.
Lodges .- Oniska Tribe, I. O. of R. M., No. 40, meet in Stambaugh's hall every Monday evening. Officers : Sachem, Israel Stambaugh; Senior Saga- more, H. W. King ; Junior Sagamore, J. Nevin Wolf; C. of R., J. Curtis Hildebrand ; K. of W., J. H. Bohn; Prophet, John Wiest; Right Sanup, G. W. Baugher; Left Sanup, Michael McSherry. Sons of America, No. 21, meet in Stambaugh's hall every Monday evening. Officers: Pres., H. B. Kline; Vice Pres., Israel Stambaugh; M. of F. and C., J. R. Darone ; Con., Daniel Tschop; I. G., G. C. Mayer ; O. G., Lewis M. Baker ; P. P., A. M. Ditmore. East Berlin Beneficial Society, Pres., H. W. King; Vice Pres., Michael Heltzell; Sec'y, J. Curtis Hildebrand ; Treas., John Miller. East Berlin Improvement Society, Pres., Jacob Resser ; Sec'y and Treas., Harry Spangler; Cor. Sec'y, J. Curtis Hildebrand; Librarian, W. W. Resser.
Berlin Band .- Leader, Claude Lapham; 2nd Leader, John F. Butt; Pres., J. Nevin Wolf; Vice Pres., J. R. Darone; Sec'y, C. M. Doffler ; Treas., Chas. E. Butt.
Public Schools .- No. I, J. Curtis Hildebrand; No. 2, Miss Sallie Frey. East Berlin Normal School, J. Curtis Hildebrand, Principal. School Board, W. S. Hildebrand, Ed. Sheffer, Dr. R. N. Meisenhelder, Simon Altland, Wm. B. Moul and J. Henry Bohn.
Post Office .- King St., H. S. Hildebrand, Postmaster.
EAST BERLIN BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
A. W. Storm, Luther Y. Diller, Justices of the Peace; Daniel Corbin, F. C. Wolf, R. N. Meisenhelder, D. L. Baker, physicians; E. Spangler, J. F. Geiselman, J. J. Kline, dry goods ; F. C. Wolf, and Dr. S. Meisen- helder, druggists ; H. L. Miller, notions; Francis Kuhn, B. E. Myers, sad- dlers ; W. S. Hildebrand, hardware ; J. N. Wolf, Henry McSherry, jewel- ers; N. W. Stoner, Michael Shaeffer, saloons ; H. A. Spangler, marble yard; Adam Wolf, carpet weaver ; Jacob Resser, tinware; N. Nickey, butcher ; John Getz. plough manufacturer ; Nickey & Hoover, L. Y. Diller, lime, coal and lumber dealers; Geo. Hubbley, Ed. Blinsinger,J. H. Binder, Benj. Siar, shoemakers; John Dohn, tailor; J. H. Bohn, cabinet maker ; John Jacobs, L. C, Bubb, Aaron Jacobs, blacksmiths; Michael McSherry, cigar factory ; Claude Lapham, shaving saloon; Emanuel Rhinehart, cooper; Peter Hoover, grocer; Mrs. J. R. Darone and Miss J. Reitzle, milliners; John Butt, tinner.
15
114
EAST BERLIN RESIDENT DIRECTORY.
EAST BERLIN RESIDENT DIRECTORY.
Altland Wm, carpenter, Abbottstown st. Altland Simon, carpenter, Harrisburg st. Arnold Henry, carpenter, Mill road. Baker Dr D L, King st.
Baugher Frank, laborer, King st.
+ Baugher Geo, laborer, King st. Baughman J B, merchant, Locust st. Baughman J O, King st. Beavenour J, coachtrimmer. King st. Bender Isaac, King st.
Berryman W R, carpenter, King st.
Berkheimer H G, laborer,
Binder J H, shoemaker,
Blinsinger Wm, King st. Blinsinger Ed, shoemaker, King st. Bohn J H, cabinetmaker, " "
Bowser J E, farmer, King st.
Brady John, blacksmith, Harrisburg st.
Britcher O J, painter, King st.
Britcher Ed,
Brough Andrew, Abbottstown st. Buff L C, blacksmith, King st.
Bushey Abraham,
Butt Chas, laborer,
Butt J F, tinner,
Butt Geo, carpenter,
Corbin Dr Daniel,
Coulson John, blacksmith, King st.
Darone J R, carpenter, King st.
Deardorff D, carpenter, "
Decker Clifton, shoemaker, King st.
Dellone M, drover, King st.
Diller L Y, lime dealer, King st.
Doffler C M, butcher, "
Dohn John, tailor, Harrisburg st,
Eisenhart Peter, painter, Mill road. Eisenhart George, Mill road. Eyster John, King st.
Eyster Chas, student, King st. Geisleman J F, merchant, King st. Geisleman John King st.
Getz John, blacksmith, King st. Grumbine Daniel, King st.
Hartley John, Jr, miller, Mill road. Hartly John, King st.
Hartman Philip, Abbottstown st. Hartman Henry, laborer, King st. Hartman J, brushmaker, Heltzel Michael, carpenter, King st. Hess Jeremiah, machinist, King st. Hildebrand H S, postmaster, King st. Hildebrand J Curtis, teacher. "
Hildebrand W S, merchant, " Hildebrand A S, hotel keeper, “ Hildebrand J L, teacher,
Hildebrand F S, King st.
Hildebrand Jacob H, clerk, King st. Hildebrand Albert F, King st.
Hildebrand Samuel, carriage trimme King st.
Hoffheins Lewis coachtrimmer, King st Hoover Peter, lime dealer, King st.
Hubbley Geo, shoemaker,
Jacobs John, blacksmith,
Jacobs Aaron, Harrisburg st.
Jacobs H B, farmer, King st.
King H W, coachmaker, King st.
King Geo, coachmaker
Kline J J, merchant,
Kline H B, hotel keeper,
Use Dr. Bird's Persian Chicken Drops -- cures Cholera. Sold at Snively's Drug Store, Hanover, Pa. 6
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115
EAST BERLIN RESIDENT DIRECTORY.
Koch George, painter, King st. Kuhn Francis, saddler, Lapham Claude, barber, "
Lapham Fletcher, laborer, "
Leib Abraham, laborer, McSherry Henry, watchmaker, King st. McSherry G W, student, King st. McSherry M. cigarmaker, “
Meisenhelder Dr R N. "
Meisenhelder Dr S, Metzler W J, teacher, Miller Wm, laborer,
Miller H L, merchant,
Miller John, laborer,
Moul W B, machinist, Myers Jesse, King st. Myers T E, farmer, King st. Myers B E, " "
Nickey N, butcher,
Nitchman C, laborer, “ " Picking John, 66
Philips Michael,
Philips Henry, laborer, King st.
Raffensperger H, laborer, Harrisburg st. Resser Jacob, tinner, King st. Rebert Michael, miller, Mill road. Rhinehart Em'l, cooper, King st.
Reigle John, huckster, Locust st. Reigle Josephus, laborer, Harrisburg st. Schlech Rev G H, King st. Sell Rev Daniel, "
Sharrer Jacob, huckster, King st.
Shaffer Henry, hotel keeper, King st.
Shaffer Chas, clerk,
Shaeffer M, saloon keeper,
Shaeffer Ed, huckster,
Sheads Chas, conductor, King st. Sheffer Samuel, King st. Siar C, laborer, Harrisburg st. Siar Benj, shoemaker, King st. Siar Sam'l, "
Skidmore Jno, drover, " " Spahr Wm, laborer, Harrisburg st. Spangler H F, clerk, King st. Spangler Geo, weaver, King st. Spangler H M, clerk,
Spangler A H, stonecutter
Spangler E, merchant,
Stambaugh M, .
Stambaugh Jacob, coachmaker, King st. Stambaugh J M, laborer,
Stambaugh Israel, coachmaker. " Storm A W, justice, King st. .
Stoner C W, " "
Stoner N W, saloon keeper, King st. Stouffer H W, carpenter, Stoner A K, King st. Schwartz J Q, tailor, King st. Schwartz Philip, "
Tschop J R, machinist, King st. Urick L C, agent,
Wehler Israel,
Weigert F F, blacksmith, King st. = Wiest John, farmer,
Wiest Albertus, smith, King st.
Wolf Adam, weaver, Harrisburg st.
Wolf J N, jeweler, King st.
Wolf Dr F C, Wolf Geo, laborer, Ziegler Albert, laborer King st. Ziegler J Y, laborer,
Ziegler Jacob, clerk,
Subscribe for the "Hanover Herald," an Independent Family Jour- nal, only $1.50 a year.
Try Crystal Cement to close your Fruit Jars, and you will use nothing else. Sold at Snively's Drug Store, Hanover. 6
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116
HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
"Fair Pennsylvania, than thy wildland vales, Lying 'twixt hills of green, and bound afar By billowy mountains rolling in the blue, No lovelier landscape meets the traveler's eye. There Labor sows and reaps his sure reward, And Peace and Plenty walk amid the glow And perfume of full garners."
The green hills and far-stretching valleys, the broad fields and deep forests of Adams County, would alone have sufficiently inspired the poet to burst forth in songs of praise, so flattering to his native State. Nothing can produce in the mind of the traveler greater emotions of wonder, admir- ation and awe, than to stand on some mountain-height, behold the grand scene spread before his view, and then reflect: Not one hundred and fifty years ago, (1736,) the Indian-the original owner of the soil-made good his claim to these lands, and as far as the eye then could reach, nothing but dark, dismal forests presented themselves to view, with perhaps here. and there the smoke from some humble wigwam curling itself high above the tree-tops. How changed the present scene ? The forests have mostly disappeared, like the poor, primitive inhabitants thereof themselves; the cultivated land is now dotted with large farm houses and spacious barns, while amid beautiful groves and shady woods many pleasant homes are hid. Again look, and note the busy towns, thriving villages and quiet hamlets, that meet your eye in every quarter. Listen ! in every direction is heard the noise of machinery, the sound of the tradesman plying his tools,-the surest indications of a contented and prosperous people. Nor are evidences wanting of their religious and moral inclinations, for above all else, Adams County is a county of churches, from the crumbling meet- ing-house to the cathedral-like edifice, whose walls are but so many bridges "thrown across the dark and terrible abyss of death." Many, too, are the old, neglected "church-yards," in every part of the county, and what a pity, not to say shame, that in almost every instance, they are overgrown with briars and weeds, or run over by cattle, and desecrated in every manner. They are the only monuments remaining of the past, whose heroes rest beneath in peace. No one can linger long within these sacred retreats, and not exclaim,
Oh! ye voices gone, Sounds of other years, Hush that haunting tone, Melt me not to tears."
117
HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
The humble homes that they once possessed have long since disap- peared, no traces of which remain. If Time, man's progression, have per- chance spared one, like its occupant spared by Death, it is a ruin. The roof is falling in, the logs are crumbling down, the hinges no longer sup- port the door ;- it had served its purpose, and now is only fit for the flames. The poet, returning to the home of his childhood, after a life- time passed in the busy world, finds nothing to remind him of the days of his youth :
*"Gloom is upon the silent hearth, O silent house, once filled with mirth. * * * *
The shadow of departed hours Hangs dim upon thy early flowers ; Even in thy sunshine seems to flood Something more deep than solitude."
The early settlers of this country were for the most part men fleeing from religious persecution in their native land, and seeking homes in a country where they could practice their convictions undisturbed, and se- cure for themselves and their children a fairer competence than could pos- sibly be obtained in the crowded towns and thickly-settled provinces of the Vaterland. They were poor,-in this world's goods at least,-many not having the wherewith to pay their ocean-passage, and on landing were sold, principally to companies or individuals who owned large tracts of land, and paid their passage, in return for which they agreed to clear so much land and make improvements. They transported their families and effects into the interior on rude wagons or ox-carts, the men going ahead and alongside to protect them from surprise by the Indians or wild beasts, and to remove the obstructions by trees and dense undergrowth. When they had determined on a place of location-generally along streams or in valleys where the soil was the richest-they built themselves cabins, with brushwood for roofs, or some old wagon-cover, and there they lived until a more comfortable home could be provided. Not unfrequently, too, they lived gypsy-like in their wagons, and in the open air when the weather was fair. Then anything answered the purpose of a dwelling, even hay- stacks, in which, it is said, a son of Andrew Schriver, of Kreutz-Kirche settlement, first saw the light of day. After places of shelter had been prepared, they turned their attention to clearing a tract of land, and soon
"His echoing axe the settler swung Amid the sealike solitude ; And rushing, thund'ring, down were flung, The Titans of the wood."
The trees were dragged on large piles, and covered with leaves, to which fire was put in order to get them out of the road. As soon as a bit of ground had been prepared, they hastened to sow it with whatever was best adapted to the season, and then anxiously awaited the ripening of
118
HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
their first harvest. They brought seeds of various kinds with them from the old country, and others were supplied by the Proprietaries. Indian corn or mace was found almost everywhere in the new country, on which they subsisted for a time. Not in the least, however, were they in want of food, for in the words of the poet,
"Quaevis sylva feris, et piscibus amnis abundat ; Fertque suum fructus quaelibit arbor onus,"*
and an hour's walk in the woods with rifle and basket furnished sufficient game and fruit to supply the largest family a week, while a mess of fish could soon be secured in the streams, from the luscious shad to the sa- vory trout. t
Widely different was this humble people's mode of living from that of the present day. Their houses at best were low, log huts, with open spaces between the logs for windows, and some old blanket over the en- trance called a door. The floors were made of split wood and hewed, and in some cabins, the bare earth itself. Benches served as chairs, and their tables were of the rudest kind. Their "tea service" consisted of wooden dishes, plates, spoons, trenches, noggins, and the like, and as substitutes for glasses, gourds and hard-shelled squashes served the purpose. Iron pots and pans, knives and forks, were never found of different sizes or sets in the same kitchen. In some instances, pewter plates and dishes were had, but these were not used, only on particular occasions.
Carriages being unknown, all journeys then were made afoot or on horse-back. The old go-cart was considered a luxury, and the gig of later years, the height of extravagance ; but even that was superseded by the family barouche, which may have suited these old-fashioned folks well enough, but was found too common for "young America," and has now given place to the more handsome buggy.
During the early settlement of the country, shoemakers, tailors, and the like tradesmen, traveled from place to place carrying their tools with them, and plying their trade wherever their services were needed. For a long time there was no mill west of the Susquehanna, and the old settlers were fond of relating how in earlier days, they tied their clothes on their heads and forded the river, leading the horse carrying the grain to mill. From
*With beasts the woods, with fish the streams abound ; The bending trees with plenteous fruits are crowned.
+Of living creatures, fish, fowl, and the beasts of the woods here, are divers sorts; some for food and profit, and some for profit only ; for food and profit, the eik, as big as a small ox ; deer, bigger than ours ; beaver, raccoon, rabbits, squirrels, and some eat young bear and commend it. Of fowls of the land, there is the turkey, (forty and fifty pounds weight,) which is very great; pheasants, heath-birds, pig- eons, partridges, &c. Of fish, sturgeon, herring, rock, shad, cat-head, eel, trout, salmon, &c. The fruits I find in the woods, are the white and black mulberry, chestnuts, walnuts, plums, strawberries, cranberries, hurtleberries, and grapes of divers sorts. The great red grape, called by ignorance the "fox-grape."-
Penn's letter, dated Phil., Aug. 16th, 1683, to the Society of Traders, at London.
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ti e
· 119
HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
time to time bands of Indians would pass the settlements, but were gen- erally friendly to the whites, except when under the influence of "fire- water," (rum) which they obtained from traders, when they would become troublesome. They were always on the look-out for apple orchards, which they were fond of robbing, like the mischievous lads of the present day.
The dress of these humble pioneers was of the simplest kind. For many years the only goods worn was home-spun-selbst gesponnen, selbst gemacht-which served for the heat of summer as well as for the cold of winter. When lindsey-woolsley was introduced, it was considered the wildest extravagance by the staid old Germans. As for the ladies, (par- don us for bringing to light the once humble lot of the fair sex,) they were proud indeed when they could lay aside the "old hood" and put on a trim sun-bonnet or a fashionable shaker. Milliners then were not marriage- able bonanzas. Fresh air, with plenty of exercise, were their best and only cosmetics ; dental and capillary substitutes as yet had not been dis- covered ; the chiropodist and patent medicine men were unknown in the land, and true love run its wonted course amid simplicity and unaffecta- tion.
The land within the present boundaries of Adams County originally be- longed to York County, from the history of which we have gathered what- ever could be found relating to what is now the new county, prior to its foundation in 1800.
The Committee on Elections, appointed by the Provincial Conference at Philadelphia, Sunday, June 23d, 1776, divided York County into five dis- tricts, the second of which was composed of the townships of Cumberland, Hamiltonban, Straban, Mount Joy, Menallen and Tyrone, the place of voting being at the house of Samuel Gaddis ; the judges of election ap- pointed were, Wm. McClellan, John Agnew and James Dickson. The Townships of Berwick, Mountpleasant, Germany, and others, composed the third district, and ' Hanover-town" was the place of voting, the officers being, Joseph Jeffries, Thomas Lilly and Frederick Wolf. The fifth dis- trict comprised Warrington, Monaghan, Huntington and Reading town- ships, the polls being at the house of Robert Stevenson. When the first election for Sheriff was held,* in October, 1749, there was only one election poll in the whole county, that at Baltzey Spangler's tavern, in York-town. "Voters from Wright's Ferry, on the Susquehanna, and all the way back in to the South Mountain, as far as the present Graeffenburg Springs Hotel, (55 miles from east to west,) were compelled to travel the long distance implied within these limits to exercise their right at the ballot-box." One of the candidates was Hance Hamilton, of Cumberland Township and a prominent man of that period. He served two terms as Sheriff, and one as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. His death took place early in 1772, in Menallen Township, and his remains were interred "along the
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